Matildas lose 4-2 to Germany in World Cup preparation friendly

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 22:24 · Archive

Australia's Matildas lost 4-2 to world number three Germany in a friendly in Karlsruhe, with Sam Kerr and Holly McNamara scoring for Australia.

Australia's Matildas suffered a 4-2 defeat to world number three Germany in a friendly in Karlsruhe. Sam Kerr scored after 45 minutes when she received a cross from Ellie Carpenter, with Holly McNamara also finding the net. However, Germany dominated the match and were substantially more impressive.

The Guardian reports that Australia's starting XI contained over 1,000 international caps combined, led by the experienced trio of Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Raso. Germany's team, by contrast, had just 325 caps between them. Despite this experience advantage, the Guardian notes that Australia were outplayed, outmuscled, outrun and outshot for most of the game. Germany forced Australia back into their own half within minutes and had registered seven shots to Australia's two within 20 minutes.

Australia were without several key players for the match, including Mary Fowler, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alanna Kennedy. The friendly formed part of preparation for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, for which both teams have already qualified. Australia play Haiti in their next fixture on Wednesday.

How it is being reported

• Sam Kerr on target but Matildas outclassed by youthful Germany in European friendlyAustralia fall 4-2 to world No 3 side in Karlsruhe Holly McNamara joins Kerr on scoresheet for Matildas For a moment, it felt like the Matildas were back. Ellie Carpenter took off down the right wing, eating up the metres with the ball at her feet, bouncing a pass off Hayley Raso before chipping a cross to the front post for Sam Kerr to angle into the far corner. Just ignore the fact it took 45 minutes to get there, that Australia were already 2-0 down, and that it was a rare attacking moment for a team who were outplayed, outmuscled, outrun and outshot for most of the rest of the game.…Guardian Football · 9 Oct, 21:52
• Live: Matildas take on world number three Germany in friendlyThe Matildas take on world number three Germany without gun Mary Fowler, as Tori Tumeth, Courtney Newbon and Hana Lowry hope for a debut in Karlsruhe. Follow live.ABC News Australia · 9 Oct, 19:16

In this story: Australia · Germany · Sam Kerr · Mary Fowler · Holly McNamara · Ellie Carpenter · Karlsruhe · Brazil

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